This invention relates to furniture, and more particularly to modular furniture.

It is known to provide modular furniture that can be assembled from pre-fabricated components. Modular furniture is more convenient and efficient to store and transport than non-modular furniture since the un-assembled components can be packed efficiently and shipped from the manufacturing facility to a store or home and then assembled, thereby reducing shipping costs. Also, some pieces of furniture are too heavy or are awkwardly-shaped to be conveniently moved through doorways, hallways or staircases. Modular furniture, on the other hand, can be delivered unassembled and then assembled in the room where it is to be used. Modular furniture is disclosed, for example, in US Patent No. 3,973,800 to Kogan, and GB1 356 125 A.

A sofa or armchair is typically constructed with a seat base (or deck) section, a left arm rest and a right armrest, and a seat back. The left and right armrests are usually mirror images of each other. Thus, the manufacture of a modular sofa or arm chair requires the manufacture of at least four distinct elements.

The present invention provides a modular furniture system. The modular furniture system of the present invention can be implemented by manufacturing two distinct elements. The system of the invention comprises two or more of a first structural component, referred to herein as a "deck-back". The system further comprises two or more of a second structural component, referred to herein as a "side-element". Various types of furniture can be assembled using these two components. For example, a chair can be assembled using a first deck-back as the deck of the chair, a second deck-back for the back of the chair, a first side-element for the left side of the chair, and a second side-element for the right side of the chair. The modular system of the invention can also be used, for example, to construct a couch, sofa, ottoman, or table.

The invention thus provides a modular furniture system according to claim 1:

In the modular furniture system of the invention each deck-back may comprise a panel and a frame. The panel may be integral with the frame of the deck-back. Similarly, each side-element may comprise a panel and a frames, and the panel may be integral with the frame. The panel of the deck-back may have dimensions essentially equal to the dimensions of a side-element panel. The panel and frame of a deck-back or of a side-element may be produced in a single injection molding processes.

The modular furniture system of the invention may be adapted for the construction of any one of an armchair, sofa, ottoman, and table.

In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

• Fig. 1 shows a modular furniture system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
• Figs. 2a to Fig. 2n show assembly of the modular furniture system of Fig. 1 into an arm chair;
• Fig. 3 shows a modular furniture system in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; and
• Figs. 4a to Fig. 4r show assembly of the modular furniture system of Fig. 3 into a sofa.

Fig. 1 shows a modular furniture system 1 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The modular furniture system 1 comprises one or more deck-backs 2 and one or more side-elements 4. The deck-backs 2 and the side-elements 4 may be made of any material known to be used in the manufacture of furniture. In a preferred embodiment, the deck-backs 2 and the side-elements 4 are made from plastic. Each deck-back comprises a panel 6 attached to a frame 8. In a preferred embodiment, the panel 6 is integral with the frame 8. The panel 6 and the frame 8 may be from plastic and produced, for example, in a single injection molding process. Similarly, each side-element 4 comprises a panel 10 attached to a frame 12, and the panel 10 and the frame 12 may be integral with each other. The frame 12 includes a plurality of notches 13 into which a nut retainer 15 may be inserted to retain a nut may, as explained below. In a preferred embodiment, the panel 6 is identical to the panel 10.

The system 1 may further comprise one or more side cover panels 14 that are configured to be attached to either the frame 8 of a deck-back 2 or the frame 12 of a side-element 4, and a front panel 20. The system 1 may also include one or more cushions 16, 18 that can be incorporated into a piece of furniture assembled from the system. The system may also include various brackets, for example, the brackets 22, and 24, which can be used to attach an side cover panel 14 to either one of the frames 8 and 12, or to provide structural reinforcement to a piece of furniture. The system my further comprise parts for assembling the deck-backs 2 and the side-elements 4 into a piece of furniture. Such parts may include, for example, screws 26, nuts 28, clips 30, and an assembly wrench 32. Gliders 34 may also be provided for attachment to the underside of a piece of furniture in order to facilitate sliding of the piece over a floor.

Fig. 2 shows assembly of an armchair 36 from the system 1 (the assembled armchair is shown in Fig. 2n). First, as shown in Figs. 2a to 2c, a left-side frame 36 for the armchair 36 is assembled. One of the brackets 24 is snap-fitted onto the frames 12 of one of the side-elements 4 (Fig. 2a). Then a side cover panel 14 is attached as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 2b. Nut retainers 15 are inserted into the appropriate notches 13 and nuts 28 are inserted into the nut retainers 15 (Fig. 2c). The gliders 34 are then attached to the ends of the frame 12. Now, as shown in Figs. 2d to 2f, a right-side frame 38 for the armchair 36 is assembled. Another one of the brackets 24 is snap-fitted onto the frame 12 of another one of the side-elements 4 (Fig. 2d). Then a side cover panel 14 is attached (Fig. 2e). Nuts 28 are then inserted into the nut retainers 15 and the gliders 34 are attached to the ends of the frame 12 (Fig. 2f).

Fig. 2g shows the assembly of a chair back 40 for the armchair 36. A side cover panel 14 is screwed onto brackets 42 that are integral with a deck-back 2. The brackets 42 are angled relative to the panel 6 of the deck-back, so that the side cover panel 14 is angled relative to the panel 6. Figs. 2 h and i show the right-side frame 38, the chair back 40 and the left-side frame 37, being assembled together using the screws 26 and the wrench 32.

Now, as shown in Fig. 2j, a chair deck 44 is assembled from another deck-back 2 and a front panel 20. The front panel 20 of the chair deck 44 is attached at a right angle to the deck-back 2. A clip 30 is then attached to each of the two lateral sides of the deck-back. The chair deck 44 is then assembled onto the assembly formed by the left and right side frames and the back (Figs. 2 k and l). One of the brackets 22 is then inserted into the underside of the chair, as shown in Fig. 2m, in order to enhance the sturdiness of the armchair. Cushions 16 and 18 may then be placed on the arm chair, as indicated in Fig. 2n, and assembly of the armchair 36 is complete.

Fig. 3 shows a modular furniture system 100 in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The modular furniture system 100 has several components in common with the modular furniture system 1 shown in Fig. 1. Thus, the modular furniture system 100 comprises one or more deck-backs 2 and one or more side-elements 4, where each side-element 4 comprises a panel 10 attached to a frame 12, and each deck-back comprises a panel 6 attached to a frame 8. The system 100 further comprises one or more side cover panels 14 that are configured to be attached to either the frame 8 of a deck-back 2 or the frame 12 of a side-element 4, as shown below. The system 100 also includes front panels 20, and one or more cushions 16,18 that can be incorporated into a piece of furniture assembled from the system. The system may also include various brackets, for example, the brackets 21, 22, 23, 24and 29, which can be used to attach a side cover panel 14 to either one of the frames 8 and 12, or to provide structural reinforcement to a piece of furniture. The system my further comprise parts for assembling the deck-backs 2 and the side-elements 4 into a piece of furniture. Such parts may include, for example, screws 26 and 27, nuts 28, and the wrench 32, and connectors 17 and 19. Gliders 34 may also be provided for attachment to the underside of a piece of furniture in order to facilitate sliding of the piece over a floor.

Fig. 4 shows assembly of a sofa 102 from the system 100 (the assembled sofa is shown in Fig. 4r). First, as shown in Figs. 4a to 4c, a left-side frame 136 for the sofa 102 is assembled. One of the brackets 24 is snap-fitted onto the frame 12 of one of the side-elements 4 (Fig. 4a). Then a side cover panel 14 is attached (Fig. 4b). Nut retainers 15 are inserted into the appropriate notches 13 and nuts 28 are inserted into the nut retainers 15 (Fig. 4c). The gliders 34 are then attached to the ends of the frame 12. Now, as shown in Figs. 4d to 2f, a right-side frame 138 for the sofa 102 is assembled. Another one of the brackets 24 is snap-fitted onto the frame 12 of another one of the side-elements 4 (Fig. 4d). Then a side cover panel 14 is attached (Fig. 4c). Nut retainers 15 are inserted into the appropriate notches 13 and nuts 28 are inserted into the nut retainers 15. The gliders 34 are then attached to the ends of the frame 12 (Fig. 4f).

Fig. 4g shows the assembly of a chair back 140 for the sofa 102. A side cover panel 14 is screwed onto brackets 42 that are integral with a deck-back 2. The brackets 42 are angled relative to the panel 6 of the deck-back, so that the side cover panel 14 is angled relative to the panel 6. A second chair back 140 is then assembled, and then, as shown in Fig. 4h and i, the two chair backs 140 are joined together using one of the connectors 17 and the nuts 28.

Figs. 4j and k shows assembly of a deck for the sofa 102 by joining together two deck-backs 2 using another one of the connectors 17 and the nuts 28. In Fig. 4l, two front panels 20 are joined together using a connector 19, nuts 28 and the bracket 23. Then, as shown in Fig. 4m, the back assembly and the side frames are joined together. The deck of the sofa is then inserted (Fig. 4n), and secured with the bracket 29 (Fig. 4o). The two brackets 22 are then inserted into the underside of the sofa, as shown in Fig. 4p, in order to enhance the sturdiness of the sofa. The front panel assembly is then attached (Fig. 4q). Cushions 16 and 18 may then be placed on the arm chair, as indicated in Fig. 4n, and assembly of the sofa 102 is complete.